We count our blessings that we are safe and didn't lose our home. It saddens me when I read or hear how others lost so much. The worst for us was not having power for 6 days. You realize how much our lives rely on electricity, like lights, heat & keeping the fridge cool. But it also meant no TV, phones, computer and... GASP, the internet! Oh wait, no cup of coffee in the morning too!?!
The kids would ask me, "Mommy I want to watch something." After a day or so they understood that no power meant no TV or DVDs. Fortunately they kept themselves entertained and life was possible without any TV or computer time.
Can you find N?
BOO!
At first it was "fun" starting up the fireplace and camping out in front of it to keep warm. I threw a bunch of pillows and blankets on the floor and that's where we had our slumber party every night. Since there wouldn't be any trick or treating in the pitch black neighborhood I broke out the glow sticks one night and the kids had fun running and playing in the dark. Once it got dark the kids just assumed it was bedtime even tho it was only 7 o'clock. Funny how they were ready for bed while in normal circumstances come 9 o'clock they can be still running full speed.
Do you think if I just didn't turn on any lights one night they will go to bed early and I can have an early night?
Fortunately we had good friends who lived 5 minutes away and had power. They gave us some warmth and a hot shower. They even loaned us their generator. Another lesson learned, must buy a generator.
The day Sandy finally left my husband called us to look in our backyard. We saw over a dozen wild turkeys roaming around and eventually they headed back to the woods. Pretty amazing sight!
Through this storm God gave me a few good reminders. Time with my husband, kids, family and friends hold greater value. Even the mundane things I take for granted, like a hot shower or cup of coffee. I truly feel blessed and have so many things to be thankful for in my life. It was nice to have a break from "modern life".
What would you do to keep entertained if you had no power?
Would you break out a book you've been meaning to read or play a board game?
Eva
I'm so sorry to hear that you lost power. We lose it occasionally for a few hours now and then, but we've been lucky so far that it hasn't persisted. The kids think it's fun to run around the house with their flashlights. We are also planning to get a generator because you never know, right?
ReplyDeleteYes you never know :) Hope to never lose power for that long ever again!
DeleteLove how kids find fun in every situation. My one friend's kid said he wants to lose power again so he can go over to his friends house to play and sleepover :D
I'm so happy you all are safe from the Hurricane. I love that your kids went to bed early because there were no lights on. You should definitely try it one night and see if it works. :) Ha ha! We lost our power last week, so Baby C and I walked to the park in the neighborhood down the street. But our power was only out an hour, not 6 days. Yikes!
ReplyDeleteHAHA if I do I'll let you know it works ; )
DeleteYes that was the longest stretch ever! I'm glad you and Baby C made the best of it when you lost power :)
6 days! I can't even imagine. Over the summer, we lost power for 3 days and it totally stunk, especially with temps into the 90s! We escaped to Nina's for a day, but the next day decided to go back to Philly. We couldn't survive! Good for you for hanging in there! We haven't gotten a generator yet. Good idea to get one. And a gas can for gas, and extension cords! Don't put it too close to the house, and point the exhaust away from windows and such. Our research team did a HUGE study on generator safety for the Consumer Products Safety Commission.
ReplyDelete3 days in the sweltering heat is no fun either.... kinda like a day in Malaysia HOT :P haha
DeleteGas can, check! Extension cords, check! Thanks for the tips. We are aware the safety issues. Plus we have carbon monoxide alarms in our house too.